Fishing Guides
Expert guides to help you catch more fish along the Jersey Shore. From species-specific tactics to regional hotspots and seasonal patterns.
Whether you're chasing striped bass during the legendary fall run, drifting for fluke in the summer bays, or targeting tuna in the offshore canyons, our comprehensive fishing guides will help you find the right spots, use the right techniques, and fish at the right times.
Each guide draws on local knowledge, connects to our 654+ mapped fishing grounds, charter recommendations from local ports, and surf fishing spots up and down the coast.
Species Guides
In-depth guides for targeting specific fish species along the Jersey Shore.
Where to Catch Striped Bass on the Jersey Shore
Complete guide to striped bass fishing in New Jersey. Best spots for the fall striper run, techniques, charter options, and regulations.
Where to Catch Fluke on the Jersey Shore
Complete guide to fluke fishing in New Jersey. Best back bay spots, drifting techniques, bucktail tactics, and regulations for summer flounder.
Where to Catch Bluefish on the Jersey Shore
Complete guide to bluefish fishing in New Jersey. Best spots for summer blitzes and fall runs, techniques, gear recommendations, and when blues are biting.
Where to Catch Tuna off the Jersey Shore
Complete guide to tuna fishing off New Jersey. Hudson Canyon, Baltimore Canyon, yellowfin, bluefin tactics, charter options, and what to expect on an offshore trip.
Where to Catch Black Sea Bass on the Jersey Shore
Complete guide to black sea bass fishing in New Jersey. Best wrecks, reefs, party boats, techniques, and seasonal regulations for catching these structure-loving fighters.
Where to Catch Tautog (Blackfish) on the Jersey Shore
Complete guide to tautog fishing in New Jersey. Best wrecks, jetties, seasonal patterns, crab bait techniques, and regulations for catching blackfish.
Where to Catch Mahi-Mahi off the Jersey Shore
Complete guide to mahi-mahi fishing off New Jersey. Best offshore spots, trolling techniques, when mahi show up, and how to find these colorful pelagics.
Shark Fishing off the Jersey Shore
Complete guide to shark fishing off New Jersey. Mako, thresher, blue shark techniques, charters, regulations, and the best spots for inshore and offshore sharks.
Where to Catch Weakfish on the Jersey Shore
Complete guide to weakfish fishing in New Jersey. Delaware Bay hotspots, spring and fall runs, light tackle techniques, and where to find sea trout along the Jersey Shore.
Where to Catch Winter Flounder on the Jersey Shore
Complete guide to winter flounder fishing in New Jersey. Best back bay spots, spring fishing techniques, bloodworm tips, and where to find these tasty flatfish.
Where to Catch False Albacore on the Jersey Shore
Complete guide to false albacore fishing in New Jersey. Fall run timing, light tackle techniques, inlets and jetties, and how to catch these explosive speedsters.
Seasonal Guides
Know what to fish and where based on the time of year.
NJ Spring Run Guide: Stripers, Weakfish & Flounder
Complete guide to spring fishing in New Jersey. Target striped bass, weakfish, and flounder from March through June along the Jersey Shore and Delaware Bay.
NJ Summer Fishing Guide: Fluke, Tuna & Offshore Action
Complete guide to summer fishing in New Jersey. Target fluke, tuna, mahi mahi, sea bass, and bluefish from June through August along the Jersey Shore.
NJ Fall Run Guide: Stripers, Blues & False Albacore
Complete guide to the NJ fall run. Where to catch striped bass, bluefish, and false albacore from September through December along the Jersey Shore.
Regional Guides
Fishing guides organized by Jersey Shore region - north, central, south, and offshore.
Fishing the Gateway Coast: Sandy Hook to Manasquan
Complete guide to Gateway Coast fishing. Sandy Hook, Belmar, Point Pleasant hotspots, charter ports, striped bass runs, and 215+ fishing grounds from Raritan Bay to Manasquan.
Fishing LBI & Barnegat Bay: Complete Guide
Complete guide to LBI and Barnegat Bay fishing. Barnegat Inlet, surf fishing, bay fluke, striped bass runs, and charter options from Barnegat Light to Beach Haven.
Fishing Cape May & Delaware Bay: Complete Guide
Complete guide to Cape May and Delaware Bay fishing. Weakfish at Brandywine Shoals, striper rips, fluke drifting, and charter options from Wildwood to Cape May Point.
Fishing the Offshore Canyons: Hudson to Wilmington
Complete guide to offshore canyon fishing from New Jersey. Hudson Canyon, Baltimore Canyon, Wilmington Canyon for yellowfin, bigeye, bluefin tuna, mahi, and billfish.
Method Guides
Master different fishing techniques from surf casting to wreck fishing.
Complete Guide to Surf Fishing the Jersey Shore
Complete guide to surf fishing New Jersey beaches. Best spots from Sandy Hook to Cape May, gear setups, techniques for striped bass, bluefish, and fluke from shore.
Complete Guide to Wreck Fishing off New Jersey
Complete guide to wreck fishing off New Jersey. Target sea bass, tautog, and ling on the hundreds of wrecks dotting the ocean floor. Techniques, best wrecks, and charter options.
Complete Guide to Reef Fishing off New Jersey
Complete guide to fishing New Jersey's 17 artificial reefs. Target sea bass, fluke, and tautog on deployed structure from Sandy Hook to Cape May. Locations, techniques, and tips.
Complete Guide to Party Boat Fishing in New Jersey
Complete guide to party boat fishing in New Jersey. Affordable trips for fluke, sea bass, stripers, and more. What to expect, what to bring, and the best boats from Sandy Hook to Cape May.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can I catch at the Jersey Shore?
The Jersey Shore offers diverse fishing for striped bass, bluefish, fluke (summer flounder), sea bass, tautog, weakfish, and offshore species like tuna and mahi. Each species has peak seasons - stripers in fall, fluke in summer, tautog in spring and fall.
When is the best time for striped bass fishing in NJ?
The fall run (September through December) is prime time for striped bass in New Jersey. Fish migrate south along the coast, with peak action typically in late October through November. The spring run (April-May) also offers good striper fishing.
Do I need a fishing license for the Jersey Shore?
Yes, you need a free NJ Saltwater Registry for shore fishing and private boats. Charter boats and party boats include the registry in their fees. The registry can be obtained online from the NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife.
What are the best surf fishing spots in New Jersey?
Island Beach State Park is legendary for surf fishing, especially during the fall striper run. Other top spots include Sandy Hook, Barnegat Inlet, Manasquan Inlet, and Cape May Point. Jetties and inlet mouths are particularly productive.